Swede David Lingmerth holds a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the Australian PGA Championship as he made an impressive start to life as an Affiliate Member of The European Tour.
The US-based Lingmerth’s win at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in June has helped the 28 year old leap over 100 paces in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2015, and he became an Affiliate Member of The European Tour for 2016 in a bid to make Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team.
Lingmerth’s chances of a perfect start to his qualification bid were strengthened as a four under par 68 gave him a one shot lead on three under at RACV Royal Pines Resort.
Not that Lingmerth is the only player with a chance to become the first European to win the event since David Howell in 1998, with England’s Mark Foster and Spain’s Pablo Martin Benavides part of a six-strong group tied for second on two under.
American Peter Uihlein is also part of a strong European Tour challenge in the week the 110 year old event makes its first appearance on The Race to Dubai International Schedule.
South Africa’s overnight leader Zander Lombard, his compatriot Dylan Frittelli, and Australia’s Matthew Millar complete the group one behind Lingmerth, with England’s Tom Lewis and Australia’s Jason Scrivener among those a shot further back in a tie for eighth.
Lingmerth’s lead might have been even greater, but he missed from ten feet for par at the 17th and from similar range for birdie at the last.
Starting the day one over par, World Number 57 Lingmerth almost holed his pitch to the third and, after a bogey at the fourth, converted a five footer at the sixth and again left himself a simple birdie chance at the eighth before holing from six feet at the ninth to turn in 33.
Lingmerth added a gain from 12 feet at the 11th and got up-and-down at the par five next to ensure his late blip did not prove too costly.
“I know that I’ve won on the PGA Tour so of course that gives me some confidence going into the weekend, but at the same time there are so many good players on every tour around the world who can all shoot seven, eight under, both rounds out there over the weekend, so you never know how it’s going to turn out,” said Lingmerth.
“I’m really going to have to play very well to win, but I do feel like I should have a good shot. I had a great summer really and this fall hasn’t been as good as I would have liked it to, but I feel like my game, throughout the whole fall it’s been pretty close, just not great.”
Uihlein’s 67 included a 30 foot effort on the second, while Foster and Martin – both former European Tour winners but currently without full playing rights, went round in 73 and 67 respectively.
“Today was much more efficient,” said Uihlein, whose only European Tour victory to date remains his breakthrough success at the Madeira Islands Open in 2013.
“I hit 17 greens so it was better. It’s tough when the rain comes and goes and then it’s as windy as can be and then it kind of lays down.
“I had a good end to the year and played well in Dubai, China, Turkey and Hong Kong so I am just trying to build on that and have a good weekend.”
There was a great moment late in the day as 48 year old two-time winner Peter Lonard holed his approach to the 17th for eagle to ensure he made the cut.
